Enter average daily usage, supplier lead time, and a safety buffer to get the par level for one SKU or storage location. For the reasoning behind the safety buffer, see the safety stock calculator or the par level glossary page. For an order-quantity version of this same math, see the reorder point calculator.
Par Level Calculator
Par level
80 units
Lead-time demand alone (before the safety buffer): 60.0 units
How to use this number
Set this as the minimum quantity for the SKU or storage location. When on-hand stock drops to or below it, that is the trigger to restock — whether that means "count out however many boxes bring it back up to par" (common in hospitality and healthcare) or "place an order for the difference."
Recalculate whenever average daily usage changes meaningfully (a new season, a menu or product change, a shift in customer volume) or if a supplier's lead time changes — a par level set for a 5-day lead time will run out before restock if that supplier slips to 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a par level?
A par level is the minimum quantity of a SKU you always want on hand — when stock drops to (or below) par, it triggers a reorder or a restock. It is most common in hospitality, healthcare, and retail, where staff restock by "bringing it up to par" rather than calculating a fresh order quantity each time.
How is par level different from a reorder point?
They are calculated the same way (lead-time demand plus a safety buffer) and are functionally the same number for most purposes. "Reorder point" is the more common term in general inventory and manufacturing contexts; "par level" is the term used in hospitality, healthcare, and multi-location retail, often for a fixed restock-to-this-number workflow rather than a variable order quantity.
How do I set the safety stock number?
Use a fixed buffer based on how costly a stockout is for that item (a few days of usage for non-critical items, more for anything that would stop service if it ran out), or calculate it properly with a service-level formula — see the safety stock calculator for the Z-score version if demand and lead time both vary.
Does this calculator save my numbers?
No. This is a client-side calculation only — nothing is sent to a server or saved. Refreshing the page resets it to the defaults.
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